Valencia has a sky that’s almost always bright blue: no wonder everyone would rather be outside. Life happens in the street in Spain‘s third-largest city, whether that’s catching up with friends on sunny terraces over a caña or sipping mojitos with toes plunged into the golden sand.
Come to Valencia to marvel at modernist architecture and Gothic monuments and when it’s time to unplug, head to the secluded beach in a thriving natural park, wade a stand up paddleboard into the calm ocean, or roll out a yoga mat in one of the lush city parks. Further afield there are mountains to explore and leafy bicycle paths to whizz along.
Whether it’s elegant squares or natural beauty, Valencia’s outdoor spaces inspire people to enjoy the great outdoors.
Jardin del Turia
Draped across the city like a winner’s sash, Jardin del Turia is a 5.6-mile-long green lung. It’s planted in the former riverbed of the Río Turia, which was diverted after a devastating flood in 1957. Today, it’s the largest urban park in Spain. It’s speckled with lemon trees, grassy meadows and cafés serving chilled horchata under rubber trees. Some roped-off areas might look overgrown; these are wild sections, left unkempt to encourage biodiversity. Threaded through the plants are running routes and bike paths, while yoga classes take place under the shade of palm trees. Walk along the paths to reach cultural hubs, like the grand music venue Palau de la Música and the otherworldly Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.
Valencia city beaches
Valencia’s most popular beach, Playa El Cabañal is a lively stretch of butter-yellow sand backed by the old fisherman’s quarter. Begin by exploring the barrio’s character-filled tiled houses and then pop into the local market, Mercat Municipal del Cabanyal for some field-fresh peaches before making tracks to the seaside. Not into sunbathing? Book one of the volleyball…
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